Cutting device for recording medium and printer with cutting device

ABSTRACT

A cutting device for cutting four edges out of recording media being fed, comprising: a side cutter for cutting both side edges of the recording media fed in a feed direction of the recording media; an end cutter for cutting a leading and trailing end edges out of the recording media fed in a feed direction of the recording media; and, a recording media feed path having a curve or a plurality of curves formed on at least a part thereof; wherein the side cutter is arranged on the corner or corners of the recording media feed path. The four edges of the recording media having an image or the like printed can be cut accurately and securely.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a cutting device for and acutting method of recording media, such as photosensitive recordingpaper and the like having an image or the like printed, and to a printerhaving the cutting device. More specifically, it relates to a cuttingdevice for and a cutting method of recording media accurately andsecurely and to a printer having the cutting device for continuouslycutting a plurality of the recording media accurately and securely.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Prior printers make exposure on a photosensitive recording sheetbefore pressing it to develop, thereby forming an image on a surface ofthe photosensitive recording sheet. As an example, Japanese PatentApplication Publication 2000-147678(A) discloses a recording apparatusas printer that: a photosensitive recording sheet called the Cycolormedia is used that is formed of lamination of microcapsules filled witheither one of coloring materials of cyan, magenta, and yellow each; thephotosensitive recording sheet has a light of desired wavelengthirradiated to a surface thereof to expose a color image; in other words,the surface is made to react to a light of specific wavelength to cure asensitive material filled in the microcapsule together with the coloringmaterial; the curing makes coloring reaction of the coloring materialinactive; after that, a high pressure is applied to the activemicrocapsule without reacting to the light of specific wavelength todestroy for development (coloring), thereby forming the color image.

[0005] The prior printer mentioned above has an advantage that a runningcost for printing can be kept low as consumable materials such as tonerand ink or ink ribbon are not needed except for the above-mentionedCycolor media only for forming, or printing, the color image. Theabove-mentioned Cycolor media is on the marked in forms as blank cutsheets, such as a rectangular form, before the printing processes(exposing and pressure-developing processes). In the cutting process tothe blank forms, the Cycolor media has an undesired force applied tofour edges thereof. The four edges result in destruction of themicrocapsules of non-unactiviated (active) state having the coloringmaterials filled therein, the microcapsules being thereon. It isdisadvantageous that the four edges cannot be developed to desiredcolors, but becomes black or undesirable results.

[0006] To overcome the problem, Japanese Patent Application PublicationHei 10-62871 (A) discloses a technique that in advance of theabove-mentioned cutting step the four edges of the Cycolor media arepre-exposed to white and, the microcapsules existing on the edges aremade inactive as a white frame to prevent the white edges from becomingblack even if after that, a pressure is applied to the edges at thecutting step for a standard form.

[0007] However, the above-mentioned processing made on the recordingmedia results in increased cost of the media as consumable item, orunavoidably increased running cost in the printing process with use ofthe media.

[0008] On the other hand, the printer having such a media used is usefulas a photo-printer. The photosensitive recording paper having a colorimage formed, like the photograph having usual negative film used, hasbeen needed to have the image formed on the entire surface without fouredges in finish.

[0009] Various prior arts for cutting the recording media have beendisclosed and put to practical use. Japanese Patent ApplicationPublication Hei 11-202418(A), as an example, discloses a structurehaving a cutter unit made up of a horizontal cutter and a verticalcutter, the horizontal cutter being for cutting photosensitive materialhaving a plurality of images printed (exposed) to specific lengthsdepending on lengths of individual prints formed on the photosensitivematerial and, the vertical cutter being for cutting the photosensitivematerial having the plurality of wide images printed to specific widthsdepending on widths of the individual prints, thereby horizontally andvertically cutting the photosensitive material for the plurality ofprints. However, the structure unlike the present invention cannot onlybe used to cut the four edges out of the recording media, but also isnot elaborated for accurate and secure cutting the photosensitivematerial in any way as to posture and holding state of thephotosensitive material in cutting the photosensitive material.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a cutting devicefor recording media capable of cutting four edges of the recording mediahaving an image or the like printed accurately and securely.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cuttingmethod of recording media capable of cutting four edges of the recordingmedia having an image or the like printed accurately and securely.

[0012] Still another object of the present invention is to provide aprinter having a cutting device for recording media capable of cuttingfour edges of the recording media having an image or the like printedaccurately and securely to suppress a running cost while keeping qualityimage printed on the recording media.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Briefly, the foregoing objects are accomplished in accordancewith aspects of the present invention by a cutting device for cuttingfour edges out of recording media being fed, comprising in combination:a side cutter for cutting both side edges of the recording media fed ina feed direction of the recording media; an end cutter for cutting aleading and trailing end edges out of the recording media fed in a feeddirection of the recording media; and, a recording media feed pathhaving a curve or a plurality of curves formed on at least a partthereof; wherein the side cutter is arranged on the corner or corners ofthe recording media feed path.

[0014] Also, the foregoing objects are accomplished in accordance withaspects of the present invention by a cutting method of recording mediaof cutting four edges out of recording media, comprising in combination:a both-side edge first-half-area cutting step of feeding the recordingmedia to a first cutting position before cutting both-side edgefirst-half areas out of the recording media in a feed direction of therecording media while feeding the recording media; a both-side edgelast-half-area cutting step of feeding the recording media to the firstcutting position before cutting both-side edge last-half areas out ofthe recording media in the feed direction of the recording media whilefeeding the recording media; a leading end edge cutting step of feedingthe recording media to a second cutting position before cutting aleading end edge out of the recording media in the feed direction of therecording media with the recording media stopped; and, a trailing endedge cutting step of feeding the recording media to the second cuttingposition before cutting a trailing end edge out of the recording mediain the feed direction of the recording media with the recording mediastopped; wherein either of the leading end edge cutting step or thetailing edge cutting step is performed between the both-side edgefirst-half-area cutting step and the both-side edge last-half-areacutting step.

[0015] Further, the foregoing objects are accomplished in accordancewith aspects of the present invention by a printer, comprising incombination: an exposing section for exposing recording media; firstfeed means arranged in the exposing section for feeding the recordingmedia; a developing section for pressing to develop the recording mediaexposed by the exposing section; a second feed means arranged in thecourse of a recording media feed path between the exposing section andthe developing section for feeding to the developing section therecording media exposed by the exposing section; a cutting device forcutting four edges out of the recording media developed by thedeveloping section; third feed means arranged between the developingsection and the cutting device for feeding to the cutting device therecording media developed by the developing section; and, an apparatushousing for housing at least the exposing section, the developingsection, the cutting device, and the first, second, and third feed meanstherein; wherein the first, second, and third feed means feed therecording media in a feed direction of the recording media whilesurface-contacting both side edges of the recording media, and thecutting device cuts the both side edges out of the recording media.

[0016] The foregoing and other objects, advantages, manner of operationand novel features of the present invention will be understood from thefollowing detailed description when read in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a front overview for an entire structure of the printerin an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 2 is an overview for structure of an exposing projector.

[0019]FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view for structure of peripheriesaround a cutting device.

[0020]FIG. 4 is an enlarged top view for structure of peripheries arounda cutting device.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view for structure of an end cutter in thecutting device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The following describes in detail an embodiment of the printeraccording to the present invention in reference to the drawings attachedhere.

[0023] The printer according to the present invention includes an inkjet printer, a laser printer, and similar printing apparatuses. Thisembodiment described is for a printer appropriate for Cycolor film(hereinafter referred to as the Cycolor printer), the Cycolor film is aphotosensitive recording sheet.

[0024] First, an overview of the Cycolor printer embodied according tothe present invention is described below.

[0025]FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating the Cycolor printer 1. A topand a bottom of the figure correspond to those of an apparatus housing100, and a right and left sides are to those of the apparatus housing100.

[0026] A media container for media 3, including recording media andfilm, is arranged in an upper area of the apparatus housing 100. A mediaunloading port for the media 3 is arranged closed to the mediacontainer, on the top of the apparatus housing 100. A feed path isformed from the media container to the media unloading port. Along thefeed path are disposed processing sections, including an exposingsection, a developing section, and a fixing section. The feed path isdisposed in a loop manner inside the apparatus housing 100 as wrappingthe processing sections. Parts of the feed path are sharply curved,including a switchback section 64 and a alternative path 121 that willbe described later. Such a construction allows every processing sectionto have space enough to make a single medium stay therein.

[0027] The media container has a cassette room 2 disposed on a side ofthe apparatus housing 1 00,on an upper left side in the figure. Thecassette room 2 can load a media cassette 5 therein from a front side inthe figure. The media cassette 5 is capable of containing a many numberof media 3 for forming desired images. For loading the many number ofmedia 3, they are put downward into the media cassette 5, vertically inthe apparatus housing 100 (printer 1). In other words, the many numberof media 3 can be loaded so that they can be linearly fed out of themedia cassette 5 to the feed path without changing their direction.

[0028] Loading the media cassette 5 in the media container, or thecassette room 2, makes synchronization with a media picking arrangement(not shown) to run a pick roller 101. The pick roller 101 is pressed tothe media 3 in the media cassette 5. At the same time, a media pressingarrangement (not shown) is run to press the media 3 in the mediacassette 5 to the pick roller 101. As a result, the pick roller 101 canbe kept to feed out the media 3 in the media cassette 5 one by one insequence.

[0029] The cassette room 2 also has a media separating arrangementdisposed therein for preventing more than one sheet of the media 3 fedby the pick roller 101 from being fed out to a feed path 51 (which willbe described later) at the same time. The media separating arrangementis formed of a pick roller 101 and a separating roller 103 faced andpressed to each other. The feed roller 102 is controlled in rotation soas to feed out the media 3 toward the feed path 51, while the separatingroller 103 is controlled in rotation so as to draw back the media 3toward the pick roller 101. The feed roller 102 in the embodiment iscontrolled to have greater drive force (torque) than the separatingroller 103. Such a media separating mechanism can separate the media 3fed by the pick roller 101 one by one before feeding to the feed path51.

[0030] The media 3 is formed of a viscous layer having polyester filmcoated with a bonding layer and containing numbers of photosensitivemicrocapsules called Cyris and a transparent PET (polyesterterephthalate) layer covering it.

[0031] Each of the microcapsules is filled with a photosensitive agentreactive to a different wavelength and either one of dyes of CYM (cyan,yellow, and magenta). The microcapsule containing the cyan dye is curedwith a red light received, that of the yellow dye with a blue light, andthat of the magenta with a green light. Microcapsules being not reactiveto lights of specific wavelengths and ones receiving no lights cannot becured. Such microcapsules and a developing and fixing agent called thedeveloper resin are bound to a special oily viscous agent to form theviscous layer.

[0032] Thus, when exposure is made by an exposing projector (which willbe described later), red exposure portions have only the cyan dye cured,leaving the other dyes not cured. When a high pressure is applied by adeveloping roller arranged on the downstream end, the microcapsulescontaining the yellow dye and the magenta dye are disrupted, resultingin appearance of the red color. Similarly, green exposure portions haveonly the magenta dye cured, and the microcapsules containing the cyandye and the yellow dye are destroyed, resulting in appearance of thegreen color. Blue exposure portions have only the yellow dye cured, andthe microcapsules containing the cyan dye and the magenta dye aredisrupted, resulting in appearance of the blue color.

[0033] The microcapsule is of a few microns of size. An LCD (liquiddisplay panel) used for printing contains a few capsules per pixel. Acuring degree of a microcapsule differs with amount of exposure. Thesemean that an image of numbers of color gradations can be formed witheach microcapsule cured and disrupted depending on color data of eachpixel.

[0034] A temperature controlling means (not shown) is disposed at thebottom of the cassette room 2 for controlling environment inside themedia cassette 5. In the embodiment is used a Peltier device providing aPeltier effect that can produce temperature difference depending ondirection of a current flowing at a junction of dissimilar metalsthereof. The Peltier device can be set for either of heating or coolingby controlling the polarity of the voltage applied to the junction. Theeffect can be utilized to optimize the temperature and humidity insidethe media cassette 5.

[0035] Below the feed path 51 is arranged the feed path 51 for feedingthe media 3 fed out of the media cassette 5. The feed path 51 isdirected down from the media cassette 5 toward a bottom of the apparatushousing 100 before being extended along the bottom of the apparatushousing 100 to an exposure path extended along the bottom.

[0036] The media cassette 51 has a plurality of feed rollers (two pairsof feed rollers 104 and 105 in this embodiment) arranged therealong. Anerror detecting sensor 107 is disposed upstream in front of the pairedfeed rollers 104, and a media detecting sensor 108 is disposed upstreamin front of the paired feed rollers 105.

[0037] The error detecting sensor 107 is controlled to detects state ofthe media 3 and signals a feed error when a plurality of media 3 are notseparated by the media separating arrangement mentioned above beforebeing fed out at the same time. In the operation, feeding of the media 3is stopped in synchronous with the feed error indication.

[0038] The media detecting sensor 108 is controlled to detect a leadingend edge of the media 3 fed out of the feed path 51 via the paired feedrollers 104 before feeding out a leading end edge detection signal. Inthe operation, a media feeding arrangement (not shown) stops the pickroller 101 and the media separating arrangement, including the feedroller 102 and the separating roller 103, from rotating and allows onlythe paired feed rollers 104 and 105 according to the leading end edgedetection signal. This can feed only single sheet of the media 3 to thefeed path 51. The sheet of media 3 then is transferred to the exposurepath. With the transference to the exposure path, the following sheet ofmedia 3 is fed to the media cassette 5 at a predetermined instancebefore being stopped at a stand-by position (not shown) set in front ofthe exposure path. This assures the media 3 can be transferred to theexposure path one by one.

[0039] The exposure path is formed of a pre-stage path 52 disposed inseries to the feed path 51 for feeding downstream the media 3 havingpassed through the feed path 51, a exposing stage 55 disposed downstreamin series to the pre-stage path 52, and a post-stage path 57 disposeddownstream in series to the exposing stage 55 for feeding the media 3having passed through the exposing stage 55.

[0040] The exposure path has a plurality of paired rollers therein forfeeding downstream the media 3 fed via the feed path 51. In theembodiment are disposed one pair of feed rollers 106 in the pre-stagepath 52, three pairs of feed rollers 109, 110, and 111 in the exposingstage 55 at an equal interval, and one pair of feed rollers 112 in thepost-stage path 57.

[0041] The exposing stage 55 has a media detecting sensor 113 disposedbetween the two pairs of feed rollers (between the paired rollers 110and 111 in the embodiment). According to a sensor signal of the mediadetecting sensor 113, the media 3 can be halted once at an exposureposition on the exposing stage 55. In detail, the media detecting sensor113 sends the sensor signal out if the media 3 is put at the exposureposition on the exposing stage 55 with the media 3 fed on the exposingstage 55 via the pre-stage path 52. At that time, the paired rollers109, 110, and 111 are controlled to stop from rotating in synchronouswith the sensor signal.

[0042] In the state that the media 3 is halted once, the media 3 isexposed separately to three primary color lights, including R (red), G(green), and B (blue), on a printing side 3 a thereof (FIG. 2) for apreprocess to form a desired image. It should be noticed that mylarlight shields 55 a and 55 b are arranged on the upstream end and thedownstream end of the exposing stage 55 respectively. The light shields55 a and 55 b prevent the printing side 3 a of the media 3 from beingirradiated by external noise lights (disturbing lights) while exposureis made on the exposing stage 55. In addition, a heater (not shown) isdisposed on the bottom of the exposing stage 55 to keep the temperatureof the exposing stage 55 to a specific value. The heater can minimizeheat radiation of the exposing stage 55.

[0043] An exposing projector 60 as exposure light source is disposed ata position, above around a center of the apparatus housing 100, facingthe exposing stage 55. The exposing projector 60 irradiates light to theprinting surface 3 a of the media 3 for a specific exposure process.

[0044] The exposing projector 60 and the exposing stage 55 in theembodiment are integrated together as an exposing section forpreprocessing to form the image on the printing surface 3 a of the media3.

[0045] In the exposing projector 60, as shown in FIG. 2, the lightradiated from the light source 60 a (metal halide lamp) is aligned to aparallel beam through a second optical system 60 b (an optical systemincluding a fly array lens and a polarization converter device). Theparallel beam then is deflected downward, or toward the exposing stage55, by a mirror 60 c before passing a second optical system 60 d havinga field lens, a three-color RGB filter driven to rotate, and a waveplate. If the three-color RGB filter is rotated, color image patternsare formed through an LCD panel 60 e in timing with respective R, G, andB lights. The image formed on the LCD panel 60e then is projected ontothe printing surface 3 a of the media 3 on the exposing stage 55 via adeflecting plate 60 f and a projecting lens 60 g.

[0046] The media 3 having such an exposure process made is transferredto the post-stage path 57 via the paired feed rollers 112 before beingcontrolled to stay on the post-stage path 57 for a specific sensitizingtime. The sensitizing time is a period of time needed to develop colorson the exposed media 3 through a developing process (which will bedescribed later) and optimized depending on kind of media 3, exposingtime, and other factors. After the sensitizing time elapsed, the mediahaving stayed on the post-stage path 57 is transferred to a feed path 62via paired feed rollers 114. It should be noticed that the post-stagepath 57 is flexed upward (from the bottom to the top of the apparatushousing 100 and is connected with the feed path 62. The feed path 62 isextended upward inside the apparatus housing 100.

[0047] The 62 formed vertically with respect to the apparatus housing100 has paired cleaning rollers 115 and switchback section 64 disposedtherearound in the order. The exposed media 3 is cleaned by the pairedcleaning rollers 115 before being fed to the switchback section 64. Insynchronous with feeding of the media 3, a successive media 3 is fed andpositioned on the exposing stage 55.

[0048] The exposed media 3 is controlled to stay in the switchbacksection 64 for a dark time needed for coloring by the developing process(which will be described later). In detail, the switchback section 64has two pairs of feed rollers 118 and 118 arranged therein along thefeed path 62. The feed path 62 between the paired feed rollers 117 and118 has a media detecting sensor 119 disposed thereon. If the exposedmedia 3 being fed by the paired feed rollers 117 and 118 reaches aspecific position, the media detecting sensor 119 outputs an sensorsignal. The paired rollers 117 and 118 are synchronized with the sensorsignal to stop. The exposed media 3 is stayed at the specific positionin the switchback section 64 for the sensitizing time. For thesensitizing time, the exposed media 3 being successively fed is made tostay on the feed paths 57 and 62 between the exposing stage 55 and theswitchback section 64.

[0049] The feed path 62 in the switchback section 64 is extended upwardinside the apparatus housing 100 before being broken at around avertical center of the apparatus housing 100. The media 3 made to stayat the specific position in the switchback section 64 is returned on thesame feed path 62 and guided through an alternative path 121 branchedfrom an inlet of the switchback section 64 to a paired pressuredeveloping rollers 68 that is a developing unit (which will be describedlater).

[0050] Now, the following describes structure, operation, and advantagesof the switchback section 64.

[0051] The media 3 exposed on the exposing stage 55 continuesphotosensitization (exposure reaction) in the microcapsules thereof fora while even after the light irradiation stops. For the reason, thestabilizing time (dark time) for stabilizing the photosensitive reactionin the microcapsules is needed before the microcapsules are fractured bypressure of the paired pressure developing rollers 68. The stabilizingtime can be obtained by making longer the feed path from the exposingstage 55 to the paired pressure developing rollers 68, However,arrangement must be made large due to the long feed path accordingly.

[0052] The switchback section 64 therefore is provided to make the mediaswitchback to obtain the dark time needed without making the apparatuslarge. The paired feed rollers 117 and 118 in the switchback section 64are arranged so that they can be controlled to drive independently ofthe other paired rollers, including the paired feed rollers 112 and 114,the paired cleaning rollers 115, and the paired pressure developingrollers 68, the dark time for reaching the paired pressure developingrollers 68 can be changed, made longer or shorter, freely by adjustingthe staying time of the media 3 in the switchback section 64.

[0053] In detail, with the paired feed rollers 117 and 118 rotated, say,normally, the media 3 is taken onto the feed path 62 before beingstopped at the specific position in the switchback section 64. When thedark time elapses, the paired feed rollers 117 and 118 are controlled torotate in reverse direction if the paired pressure developing rollers 68are synchronized with the paired feed rollers 117 and 118 in theswitchback section 64, that is, if no preceding media 3 exists betweenthe paired pressure developing rollers 68 for development. As a result,the media 3 is fed in the reverse direction on the same

[0054] In the embodiment, a switching gate 120 is disposed on the feedpath 62 between the paired feed rollers 117 and the paired cleaningrollers 115. The switching gate 120 is actuated in synchronous with thereverse rotations of the paired feed rollers 117 and 118, the reverserotations being given by the switchback driving arrangement. In thatcase, the media 3 fed in the reverse direction on the feed path 62 isfed to the alternative path 121 via the switching gate 120 before beingguided to the paired pressure developing rollers 68 with the printingsurface 3 a kept to direct up.

[0055] The paired pressure developing rollers 68, as shown in FIG. 1,are arranged to rotate as the rollers press each other at a specificpressure. The exposed media 3 in which the microcapsules have been curedhas a load applied to both surfaces thereof when passing the 68 todestruct the microcapsules of hardness depending on amount of exposure.With the microcapsules of a specific hardness destructed, die (ink) inthe microcapsules exudes out to develop, or color, the image.

[0056] On the downstream of the paired pressure developing rollers 68 isextended the 121 to the top of the apparatus housing 100 along insidethe apparatus housing 100. The alternative path 121 has a plurality ofpaired feed rollers (two pairs in the embodiment, 122 and 123) providedin a course thereof. The media 3 having the development process made bythe paired pressure developing rollers 68 is stabilized in thecolorization while being fed on the alternative path 121 by the pairedfeed rollers 122 and 123.

[0057] In other words, the colorization needs some time (wait time)until the ink exudation stabilizes even after release of the pressure bythe paired pressure developing rollers 68. To secure the wait time, itis preferable that length of the alternative path 121 should be madelonger. It should be noticed that the alternative path 121 can be set toa desired length according to the switchback distance of the switchbacksection 64. This allows the wait time to be set depending on the kind ofink used.

[0058] On the upstream of the paired feed rollers 122 is disposed amedia detecting sensor 125. If a downstream edge of the media 3 fed onthe alternative path 121 passes the media detecting sensor 125, a signaloutput of the media detecting sensor 125 synchronizes a cutting device72 to run, which will be described later.

[0059] A high-speed feed path 124 is provided in connection with an endof the alternative path 121 and extended through a top right side of theapparatus housing 100 to an outlet placed on a top left side of theapparatus housing 100.

[0060] For the high-speed feed path 124 are provided paired high-speedfeed rollers 126 and the cutting device 72. The paired high-speed feedrollers 126 are controlled to rotate at the same rate as or a littlefaster than the feed rollers provided in the apparatus housing 100except for the paired pressure developing rollers 68 at least. Thecutting device 72 is arranged on the top of the apparatus housing 100(top right side looking on the drawing) and serves to cut four marginsof the media 3.

[0061] The cutting device 72, as shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, has a sidecutter 72 a formed in a longer direction of the high-speed feed path124, or the feed direction of the media 3, for cutting the both sideedges of the media 3 while the media 3 is fed, and a end cutter 72 bformed along the feed path, in a direction traversing the high-speedfeed path 124, for cutting the leading and trailing end edges of themedia 3 while the media 3 is stopped. The side cutter 72 a cuts firsthalves of the both side edges of the media 3 in the feed directionbefore cutting the last halves of the both side edges in a specifictiming. In the embodiment is arranged the side cutter 72 a on theupstream side of the high-speed feed path 124 and at a curve of thehigh-speed feed path 124 on the top corner of the apparatus housing 100and is arranged the cutter 72 b on the virtually horizontal path on thedownstream side thereof. Alternatively, the edge cutter 72 b may bearranged on the upstream of the high-speed feed path 124, and the sidecutter 72 a may be arranged on the downstream side thereof.

[0062] The side cutter 72 a has paired rollers (first and second rollers151 and 152) rotating while press-contacting with each other for guidingthe media 3 along the high-speed feed path 124 and has rotary blades(first and second rotary blades 153 and 154) disposed on each end of thefirst and second rollers 151 and 152 respectively for cutting both sideedges of the media 3 as rotated by the first and second rollers 151 and152. That is, the media 3 is cut of the both side edges while fed tochange in direction along a part of surface of the second roller 152arranged downward as nipped by the first and second rollers 151 and 152.The high-speed feed path 124 in the embodiment has a curvature of around90 degrees on a curved portion thereof on which the side cutter 72 a isarranged as the high-speed feed path 124 on the top corner of theapparatus housing 100. The first and second rotary blades 153 and 154are rotated while always press-contacting with each other while thefirst and second rollers 151 and 152 are rotated. Each of the firstrotary blades 153 disposed for the respective ends of the first roller151 is fixed on the first roller 151 via a spacer 156 extendedlyprovided in the direction traversing the high-speed feed path 124. Eachof the second rotary blades 154 disposed for the respective ends of thesecond roller 152 is always pressed outward (toward the first rotaryblade 153 by an urging spring 155 arranged between the second rotaryblade 154 and the second roller 152. With such a structure, the secondrotary blade 154 is always kept pressed to the first rotary blade 153 byurging force of the urging spring 155.The extension of the spacer 156can be adjusted to change the both side edge widths cut out of the media3.

[0063] The end cutter 72 b has paired blades (upper blade 157 and lowerblade 158) of capable of cutting the both leading and trailing edges ofthe media 3 by moving in a direction traversing the media 3 and up anddown vertically in relation to the media 3. As an example of theembodiment, it is structured that the lower blade 158 is fixed on aframe supported on the apparatus housing 100, and the upper blade 157 isprovided to move up and down along the lower blade 158. The presentinvention, however, should not be limited to the structure but instead,paired blades fixed on a sliding member moving in the directiontraversing the media 3, as an example, can be used.

[0064] The cutting device 72 also has a driving arrangement for drivingthe cutting device 72 and can be controlled in its own timing. Thedriving arrangement is divided into a side cutter driving arrangementand an edge cutter driving arrangement that can be controlled in theirrespective own timings.

[0065] In the side cutter driving arrangement, the first roller 151 islinked via a gear arrangement 160 with the second roller 152, the secondroller 152 is linked via an endless belt 161 with the paired high-speedfeed rollers 126 (rollers arranged between the side cutter 72 a and theend cutter 72 b in the embodiment), and the paired high-speed feedrollers 126 are linked via an endless belt 162 with a side cutterdriving motor 163.

[0066] In the edge cutter driving arrangement, the upper blade 157 islinked on both ends thereof with cams 165 via vertically sliding member164, and the cams 165 are rotatably supported by an eccentric cam shaft166. The eccentric cam shaft 166 is liked via a gear arrangement 167with an edge cutter driving motor 168.

[0067] Controlling the driving arrangements in their own timings makesit possible to adjust time for a bleaching process which will bedescribed later, resulting in increased efficiency and stabilization ofthe printing process.

[0068] The cutting device 72 described above is structured to eliminatecurling of the media 3 for plain surface to cut the edges. As anexample, the media 3 could be curved in the direction traversing or in alonger direction along the feed path when passing the processingsections provided on the upstream, particularly the paired pressuredeveloping rollers 68 as the developing section.

[0069] As means for eliminating, or correcting, the curve, the sidecutter 72 a has both the first and second rollers 151 and 152 served toeliminate the curve of the media 3 warping in the directing traversingthe feed path when the first and second rotary blades 153 and 154 cutthe both side edges of the media 3. That is, the both side edges are cutwhile the first and second rollers 151 and 152 stretch the widthdirection curve (curling) of the media 3. On the curve of the high-speedfeed path 124, or on the top corner of the apparatus housing 100, asdescribed above, is arranged the side cutter 72 a and the first andsecond roller 151 and 152. The media 3 could be curved in the directiontraversing the feed path in the course curved along the part of thesurface of the one pressure developing roller as pressed at a highpressure when passing the paired pressure developing rollers 68 as thedeveloping section. To eliminate, or correct, the curve, the media 3held by the first and second rollers 151 and 152 are positioned to acurving posture opposite to the curve produced in the media 3 in thedeveloping section. For the purpose, the feed path from the developingsection (the paired pressure developing rollers 68) to the cuttingdevice 72 is virtually S-shaped, thereby eliminating, or correcting, thecurve produced in the media 3.

[0070] The cutting device 72 has a decurling arrangement (not shown) foreliminating the curve of the media 3 in the longer direction of the feedpath before the blades 157 and 158 of the end cutter 72 b cut theleading and trailing end edges of the media 3. The decurling arrangementcan be formed of paired rollers of relatively large diameter. With sucha structure, the leading and trailing end edges can be cut out while thecurve (curling) in the longer direction is stretched by the decurlingarrangement.

[0071] In the cutting device 72, a path length in the longer directionof the feed path from the side cutter 72 a to the end cutter 72 b isdetermined shorter than a length of the media 3 in the longer direction.It is further preferable that the path length in the longer direction ofthe feed path from the side cutter 72 a to the end cutter 72 b isdetermined a half of the length of the media 3 in the longer direction.With the path length determined as such, the cutting device 72 can bemade compact, resulting in making the printer 1 smaller.

[0072] Further, to lead the media 3 into the side cutter 72 a and theend cutter 72 b of the cutting device 72 stably and securely, itpreferable that a leading member, for example, a taper or mylar, shouldbe arranged on the feed path right before leading the side cutter 72 aand the end cutter 72 b each.

[0073] The media 3 in the cutting device 72 is cut on the first halvesof the both side edges by the side cutter 72 a first, on the leading endedge by the end cutter 72 b, on last halves of the both side edges bythe side cutter 72 a, and on the trailing end edge by the end cutter 72b in the order. For the operation, a media detecting sensor 128 isarranged in front of the upstream side of the end cutter 72 b for alwaysdetecting the leading and trailing positions on the upstream anddownstream sides of the media 3 being fed, thereby controlling the endcutter 72 b for cutting timings of the leading and trailing end edges ofthe media 3. It should be noticed that rotational rates of the first andsecond rollers 151 and 152 of the paired side cutters 72 a arecontrolled to rotate at the same rate as the paired high-speed feedrollers 126.

[0074] The paired rollers 109,110, and 111 arranged in the mediacassette 55 formed as parts of the exposing section, the paired feedrollers 112, 114, 117, and 118 arranged on the feed path for the media 3from the media cassette 55 to the paired pressure developing rollers 68as the developing section, and the paired feed rollers 122, 123, and 126(paired high-speed feed rollers arranged between the paired feed rollers123 and the side cutter 72 a) arranged on the feed path between thepaired pressure developing rollers 68 and the cutting device 72, are allmade to surface-contact the both side edges of the media 3 to feed tothe downstream sides. The surface-contacting areas of the media 3 arecut out later by the side cutter 72 a of the cutting device 72. Even ifthe areas are scratched, therefore, the media 3 is not deteriorated inimage quality, being able to keep the print at a desired status.

[0075] Below the cutting device 72 (higher portion of the apparatushousing 100) is arranged a containing section 75 for containing themargins cut out of the media 3 therein, or the margin dust cut out bythe cutting device 72 drops into the containing section 75 to collect.In the embodiment, the both side edges cut out of the media 3 by theside cutter 72 a of the cutting device 72 drop arcing along parts of thesurface of the second roller 152 down into a containing section 75. Theleading and trailing end edges cut out of the media 3 by the end cutter72 b drop vertically down into the containing section 75. In actualoperation, the environment in the apparatus tends to generate staticelectricity as the atmosphere is at high temperature and the cutmaterial is of polyester. The static electricity causes sticking of thecut margins when the margins of the media 3 are cut by the pairedslitter rollers 72 a (side cutter) and the cutter 72 b, resulting inhard dropping of the various margins and sticking on the inlet. For thereason, the containing section 75 in the embodiment has a specificantistatic process made thereon. Examples of the antistatic process mayinclude sticking of a conductive material such as copper tape to partsof the containing section 75 or forming the entire containing section 75of a conductive material such as a metallic material.

[0076] The high-speed feed path 124 on the downstream end of the cuttingdevice 72 has a bleaching section 77 for bleaching process.

[0077] The following describes the bleaching process briefly.

[0078] The media 3 exposed on the exposing stage 55 forms an image as itexudates necessary amount of die (ink) as being pressed. To expressvariable densities, the media 3 is exposed to intermediate amounts oflight to make hardness of the microcapsules intermediate, thereby makingthe ink exudation intermediate. If the media 3 is left in such acondition after pressing, the ink exudation proceeds. The media 3therefore cannot be fixed to a desired color. To prevent that, light isre-irradiated on the printing surface 3 a of the media 3 in the courseof feeding from the cutting device 72 to a post-heating section 80(outlet, which will be described later). Such a process can completelycure the microcapsules that have not been fully cured yet. The printingsurface 3 a thus can keep stable print image for ages without colorchange.

[0079] The embodiment has the bleaching section 77 arrange with use ofthe space above the exposing projector 60. In view of the fact thatconsiderable amount of the light emitted from the light source 60 a ofthe exposing projector 60 (FIG. 2) is leaked out thereof, the bleachingsection 77 is arranged at a position where the leaked light can be used,that is, a position above the exposing projector 60.

[0080] It should be noticed that the printing surface 3 a of the media 3is directed upward in the bleaching section 77, or in a directionopposite to the light source 60 a, as the media 3 is reverted in theswitchback section 64. For the reason, to irradiate the leaked lightdown to the printing surface 3 a, a mirror (not shown) is arranged abovethe exposing projector 60. It is preferable to set the paired feedrollers arranged in the bleaching section 77 should be driven a littleslower than the ones arranged in the other feed paths in view of fastcontinuous process of the media 3, as the bleaching exposure has to bemade for a specific time for a desired effect.

[0081] On the downstream end of the bleaching section 77, or at the topleft side of the apparatus housing 100, is disposed the outlet in whichthe post-heating section 80 is arranged.

[0082] The post heating is to make a heating process for acceleratingthe coloring process as the coloring takes long time until the die (ink)develops its primary color. The post heat is made at 90 degrees C. forone minute to virtually saturate exudation of the die, therebypreventing color change afterwards.

[0083] Making the media 3 stay on the feed path is limited in connectionwith the media 3 for continuous printing process to form the image onthe media 3 and lowers the production capability as will be describedlater. For the reason, the post-heating section 80 in the embodiment isformed of a room for continuously stacking the media 3 vertically at aspecific position and a temperature control arrangement, including asensor and a heater, for keeping the room at a specific temperature. Theroom temperature is controlled to the desired one of 90 degrees C.mentioned above.

[0084] The bleached media 3 in the post-heating section 80 is led topaired retention guides (not shown) facing each other before position onleads (not shown) of lead screws 131. The lead screws 131 are atpositions at which four corners of the media 3 can be stably supported.In the state, the paired retention guides are saved away once before thelead screws 131 are rotated one turn to move the media 3 down by onelead. The paired retention guides 83 then are returned to the mediabringing position to position the following media 3 at the leads of thelead screws 131.

[0085] Such a repeated operation, including bringing the media 3,positioning, and moving down, makes the media 3 stay in the post-heatingsection 80. For the duration, the media 3 is heated by a heater (notshown) to fully develop the colors and prevent aging.

[0086] The lead screws 131 are further turned to make the media 3discharge onto a discharge tray (not shown) via a feed belt (not shown)in ascending order.

[0087] Corners 146 and 147 on the feed path of the printer 1 constructedas described above are formed to curve at a curvature corresponding to ashape and dimensions of the apparatus housing 100. The corners 146 and147 have one or a plurality of urging rollers provided for urging themedia 3. The embodiment has one urging roller 148 disposed inside thecorner 146 and has two urging rollers 149 and 150 disposed inside thecorner 147. The urging rollers 148, 149, and 150 are structured to urgethe media 3 outward from the printing surface 3 a side when the media 3passes the corners 146 and 147. If the printing surface 3 a is urgeddirectly on the printing area thereof, the printing surface 3 a isinjured. To avoid this, the urging rollers 148,149, and 150 in theembodiment are arranged to urge (press) edges surrounding the printingarea of the printing surface 3 a at specific urging forces. It should benoticed that the urging force can be optimized depending on the type ofmedia 3, the feed speed, and the curvatures of the corners. Such astructure has the advantage that the media 3 can pass the corners 146and 147 stably without deviation in the feed direction while the media 3a is protected. The edges of the media 3 have no problem for scarringdue to the urging rollers since they are cut out by the cutting device72.

[0088] The following describes operation of the Cycolor printerconfigured as described above briefly.

[0089] When printing is started in the state that the media cassette 5is loaded in the cassette room 2, the media 3 fed from the mediacassette 5 by pick roller 101 are fed out one by one to the feed path 51by the media separating arrangement, including the feed roller 102 andthe separating roller 103, before being fed from the pre-stage path 52to the exposing stage 55. The exposing stage 55 stops the media 3 once.The exposing projector 60 irradiates light onto the printing surface 3 aof the media 3 on the basis of a desired image pattern, thereby makingthe exposure process as a preprocess for forming the desired image.

[0090] After the exposure process ends, the exposed media 3 istransferred to the post-stage path 57 with the media 3 a directed up andspecifically cleaned by the paired cleaning rollers 115 before being fedthrough the feed path 62 to the switchback section 64.

[0091] The switchback section 64 allows the exposed media 3 to stay fora time (dark time) enough to fully develop its colors. It should benoticed that the successive media 3 fed after are made to stay on thefeed paths 57 and 62 between the exposing stage 55 and the switchbacksection 64. After that, the preceding media 3 is fed back on the feedpath 62 again at a specific timing as the paired feed rollers 117 and118 are controlled to rotate inversely.

[0092] The media 3 fed back on the feed path 62 is fed to thealternative path 121 via the switching gate 120, is guided to the pairedpressure developing rollers 68, and has surface load applied to the bothsides thereof, thereby forming (color-developing) the desired image.

[0093] The media 3 having the development process completed is continuedto feed along parts of the surface on one of the paired pressuredeveloping rollers 68 to transfer from the alternative path 121 to thehigh-speed feed path 124, is checked for paper jamming in the course offeed by the paper jam detecting sensor 127, and is fed to the cuttingdevice 72.

[0094] The media 3 having the four side edges cut out by the cuttingdevice 72 is bleaching-processed (ink-fixing-processed) during passingthe bleaching section 77, is discharged to the take-out part(post-heating section 80) on the top left side of the apparatus housing100. It should be noticed that the media detecting sensor 129 arrangedin front of the upstream side of the post-heating section 80 controlsthe discharge timing for the media 3.

[0095]3The cutting device 72 in the embodiment, as described above, isstructured to cut the four edges out of the media 3 being fed by havinga side cutter 72 a for cutting both side edges of the media 3 fed in thefeed direction of the media 3, having the end cutter 72 b for cuttingthe leading and trailing end edges out of the media 3 fed in the feeddirection of the media 3, and having the feed path 124 having the curvesformed on at least one part thereof where the side cutter is arranged onthe corner of the feed path 124. The cutting device 72 therefore can cutthe four edges out of the media 3 accurately and securely while makingthe media 3 elastic on the corner of the high-speed feed path 124.

[0096] Also, the cutting device 72 can be made compact since the pathlength in the longer direction of the feed path from the side cutter 72a to the end cutter 72 b is determined shorter than, preferably the halfof, the length of the media 3 in the longer direction.

[0097] Further, the cutting method provides accurate and secure cuttingof the four edges out of the media 3 and shortening of the time taken bythe cutting as well since the cutting method has the step of cutting theleading end edge or the step of cutting the trailing end edge putbetween the step of cutting the both side edge first half areas out ofthe media 3 and the step of cutting the both side edge last half areasout of the media 3.

[0098] Further more, with the printer 1 in the embodiment, the pairedrollers 109, 110, and 111 arranged in the media cassette 55 formed asparts of the exposing section, the paired feed rollers 112, 114, 117,and 118 arranged on the feed path for the media 3 from the mediacassette 55 to the paired pressure developing rollers 68 as thedeveloping section, and the paired feed rollers 122, 123, and 126(paired high-speed feed rollers arranged between the paired feed rollers123 and the side cutter 72 a) arranged on the feed path between thepaired pressure developing rollers 68 and the cutting device 72, are allmade to surface-contact the both side edges of the media 3 to feed tothe downstream sides. The surface-contacting areas of the media 3 arecut out later by the side cutter 72 a of the cutting device 72. Even ifthe areas are scratched, therefore, the media 3 is not deteriorated inimage quality, being able to keep the print at a desired status. Themedia 3 used in such a printer 1 as described above can decrease therunning cost since it, unlike the prior art, does not need the techniquethat the four edges of the media 3 are pre-exposed to white in advanceand, the microcapsules existing on the edges are made inactive as thewhite frame to prevent the white edges from becoming black even if afterthat, the pressure is applied to the edges at the cutting step for thestandard form (creating cut sheets).

[0099] Further, with the printer 1 in the embodiment, controlling thedriving arrangements for driving the cutting device 72 in their owntimings makes it possible to adjust time for a bleaching process whichwill be described later, resulting in increased efficiency andstabilization of the printing process.

[0100] Further more, with the printer 1 in the embodiment, the cuttingdevice 72 is structured to eliminate curling of the media 3 for plainsurface to cut the edges, thereby making it possible to always cut theedges out of the media 3 at accurate size.

[0101] More over, with the printer 1 in the embodiment, the dust ofedges cut out by the cutting device 72 will not stick to the inlet ofthe containing section 75 but drops smoothly into the inside since thecontaining section 75 for collecting dust of the edges cut out by thecutting device 72 is antistatic-processed.

[0102] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment describedabove, but can be modified in many ways as follows.

[0103] The cutting device 72 in the above-described embodiment has theside cutter 72 a and the end cutter 72 b arranged in this order from theupstream to the downstream on the feed path. On the contrary, the endcutter 72 b and the side cutter 72 a can be arranged in this order fromthe upstream to the downstream on the feed path. With the cutting devicestructured above, the end cutter 72 b cuts the leading end edge marginand the trailing end edge margin out of the media 3 before the sidecutter 72 a cuts the both side margins out of the media 3 from the firsthalf area to the last half area. In that case, the same operationaleffect as the embodiment described above can be obtained with thestructure that the path length in the longer direction of the feed pathfrom the side cutter 72 a to the end cutter 72b is determined shorterthan, preferably the half of, the length of the media 3 in the longerdirection.

[0104] In the cutting device 72 (end cutter 72 b) in the embodimentdescribed above, it is structured that the lower blade 158 is fixed onthe frame 159 supported on the apparatus housing 100, and the upperblade 157 is provided to move up and down along the lower blade 158. Thesame operational effect can be obtained with a contrary structure thatthe upper blade 157 is fixed on the frame 159 supported on the apparatushousing 100, and the lower blade 158 is provided to move up and downalong the upper blade 157.

[0105] The embodiment of the present invention has been described indetail with the example of Cycolor type printer suitable for the Cycolorfilm as a photosensitive recording sheet. The present invention can alsobe embodied for printers of other different types.

What we claim is:
 1. A cutting device for cutting four edges out ofrecording media being fed, comprising in combination: a side cutter forcutting both side edges of said recording media fed in a feed directionof said recording media; an end cutter for cutting a leading andtrailing end edges out of said recording media fed in a feed directionof said recording media; and, a recording media feed path having a curveor a plurality of curves formed on at least a part thereof; wherein saidside cutter is arranged on said corner or corners of the recording mediafeed path.
 2. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein said sidecutter is arranged on an upstream side in said feed direction of saidrecording media and said end cutter is arranged on a downstream side insaid feed direction of said recording media.
 3. The cutting deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein a length of a feed path formed betweensaid side cutter and said end cutter for said recording media isdetermined shorter than a longer length of said recording media in afeed direction of said recording media.
 4. The cutting device accordingto claim 1, wherein said side cutter has at least rotary blades and hasfeed rollers provided on the same axes of rotating shafts of said rotaryblades for feeding said recording media, said recording media being fedalong a part of a surface of said feed rollers while being changed infeed direction.
 5. The cutting device according to claim 3, wherein saidend cutter has at least paired blades, said paired blades being used tocut said leading and trailing end edges out of said recording media withsaid recording media stopped at a specific position, and said rotaryblades being used to cut said both side edges out of said recordingmedia while said recording media is fed.
 6. A cutting method ofrecording media of cutting four edges out of recording media, comprisingin combination: a both-side edge first-half-area cutting step of feedingsaid recording media to a first cutting position before cuttingboth-side edge first-half areas out of said recording media in a feeddirection of said recording media while feeding said recording media; aboth-side edge last-half-area cutting step of feeding said recordingmedia to said first cutting position before cutting both-side edgelast-half areas out of said recording media in said feed direction ofsaid recording media while feeding said recording media; a leading endedge cutting step of feeding said recording media to a second cuttingposition before cutting a leading end edge out of said recording mediain said feed direction of said recording media with said recording mediastopped; and, a trailing end edge cutting step of feeding said recordingmedia to said second cutting position before cutting a trailing end edgeout of said recording media in said feed direction of said recordingmedia with said recording media stopped; wherein either of said leadingend edge cutting step or said tailing edge cutting step is performedbetween said both-side edge first-half-area cutting step and saidboth-side edge last-half-area cutting step.
 7. The cutting methodaccording to claim 6, wherein said both-side edge first-half-areacutting step is performed before said leading end edge cutting step isperformed and, said both-side edge last-half-area cutting step isperformed before said trailing end edge cutting step is performed. 8.The cutting method according to claim 6, wherein said both-side edgefirst-half-area cutting step and said both-side edge last-half-areacutting step cut both said side edges out of said recording media whilecurve-feed said recording media.
 9. The cutting method according toclaim 8, wherein the curve-feed of said recording media in saidboth-side edge first-half-area cutting step and said both-side edgelast-half-area cutting step is made at an angle of around 90 degrees.10. The cutting method according to claim 6, wherein at least a part ofsaid recording media is stopped as curved when either of said leadingend edge cutting step or said trailing end edge cutting step isperformed.
 11. A printer, comprising in combination: an exposing sectionfor exposing recording media; first feed means arranged in said exposingsection for feeding said recording media; a developing section forpressing to develop said recording media exposed by said exposingsection; a second feed means arranged in the course of a recording mediafeed path between said exposing section and said developing section forfeeding to said developing section said recording media exposed by saidexposing section; a cutting device for cutting four edges out of saidrecording media developed by said developing section; third feed meansarranged between said developing section and said cutting device forfeeding to said cutting device said recording media developed by saiddeveloping section; and, an apparatus housing for housing at least saidexposing section, said developing section, said cutting device, and saidfirst, second, and third feed means therein; wherein said first, second,and third feed means feed said recording media in a feed direction ofsaid recording media while surface-contacting both side edges of saidrecording media, and said cutting device cuts said both side edges outof said recording media.
 12. The printer according to claim 11, whereinat least a part of said feed path for said recording media from saidexposing section to said cutting device is curved, and said cuttingdevice is arranged on the curving portion of said feed path for therecording media.
 13. The printer according to claim 12, wherein saidcutting device is arranged on an upper corner of said apparatus housing.14. The printer according to claim 12, wherein said developing sectionhas a curved feed path formed therein for leading said developedrecording media to said cutting device and, the feed path for saidrecording media connecting said curved feed path with said feed pathhaving said cutting device arranged thereon is virtually S-shaped. 15.The printer according to claim 14, wherein said cutting device hasvertically cutting means having blades for cutting leading and trailingedges out of said recording media moving in the feed direction of saidrecording media as moving up and down vertically in relation to saidrecording media and has rotary cutting means having rotary blades forcutting said both side edges out of said recording media in the feeddirection of said recording media by rotating while pressing each other.16. The printer according to claim 15, further comprising in combinationfeed rollers provided on the same axes of rotating shafts of said rotarycutting means, said developing section having pressure rollers forfeeding said recording media while pressing, wherein said recordingmedia is fed along parts of surfaces of said feed rollers and saidpressure rollers.
 17. The printer according to claim 16, furthercomprising in combination a containing section arranged below saidcutting device for containing the four edges cut out of said recordingmedia by said cutting device, wherein said both side edges cut out ofsaid recording media by said rotary cutting means drop arcing alongparts of the surface of the feed roller down to be contained in saidcontaining section, and said leading and trailing end edges cut out ofthe recording media by said vertically cutting means drop verticallydown to be contained in said containing section.
 18. The printeraccording to claim 17, wherein said containing section has a specificantistatic process made thereon.
 19. The printer according to claim 18,wherein said antistatic process has a conductive material provided on atleast a part of said containing section.